CHEF

Chaos in the Kitchen

Ify Zevana stood in front of all the employees lined up in the kitchen. Her clothes had changed to Chef's all-black clothes. She was really very different now, though her face still looked like a child's. Everyone looked down there because they didn't expect that annoying customer was their new Chef, which meant she was in a higher position than them. That also means he has the right to fire. If it's like this they really hope to be able to turn back time. Compared to the others, Alvin and Rio looked straight ahead without looking down.

No… Chef Zevana stomped her palm on the table slowly. It seemed she had finished observing her new employees. "Okay, I don't need to introduce myself again to you guys, you already know my name and I will know your name by looking at the name tags on your clothes .." he said loudly and seemed a little bit arrogant. In the hearts of Dea and others who don't like the new Chef, of course, they grumble annoyed.

"Forget the fact that I'm younger than all of you, there are only bosses and assistants here…that's why…" Zevana looked back at them one by one.

“I want to change the formation in the kitchen according to my judgment…”

Those words instantly made all of them couldn't help but lift their heads and look at Zevana. "What? Change it…?” asked Ray.

Zevana nodded. "Of course, I have to decide for myself who should occupy certain sections and most importantly who will fill the position of sous Chef as well as my main assistant..."

“But Chef…” Shiva interrupted. "That position is already in the hands of Sis Rio, he is the most appropriate person to fill it, even all the Chefs who work here always give him that position.." he said, this got everyone's approval. Rio himself prefers to remain silent, he has been avoiding eye contact with his new Chef.

"Like that? But I have power here.." Zevana said. “You have to go through a test so I can determine which position is right for you…”

Everyone mumbled incoherently, it was nothing, but the taste of this Chef was very difficult to predict, they could be placed in the lowest position.

"The exam is very simple, you just have to serve a dish within 30 minutes, I will judge it from your cooking..." Zevana explained as she walked. “I want simple food but has great taste, I don't like harsh and uneducated taste, it's up to you what ingredients you want to use, show me the best, because it's time for you to get a higher position…”

Zevana's steps stopped in front of Rio, the girl then looked at the man who was taller than her. “We'll see… if Mr. Rio Aditya can maintain his current position…” he said meaningfully.

Rio directed his gaze as if to return the sharp gaze to him, The man then smiled crookedly. "Don't worry, I'll do my best..." he snapped. For a few seconds, the two of them stared at each other with the aura that the battle was about to begin. The gazes that do not want to lose, I don't know what is behind those gazes. What is certain is that a great battle awaits.

****

Even though it's only been ten minutes, Zevana seems impatient. Seen she was uncomfortable in his seat and repeatedly looked at his cell phone. She could see clearly, there were all trying to serve something for the position that Zevana said earlier.

Some even try to cook using difficult basic ingredients. They should be able to think creatively with the time he gave. Zevana then stood up and checked one by one what the chefs were doing.

“Wuuff…..you will only make the fish die in vain…” Zevana said when passing Putra who was trying to cut the fish with a new style that he might have created himself. This made Zevana laugh inwardly, how could her Uncle hire someone with such low cooking skills.

Zevana's steps stopped at Alvin's table, he was silent for a moment seeing Alvin's cooking style. That's great too, he said. "Wouldn't you cut it like that it would only result in tough meat..."

Alvin looked at Zevana and smiled. “Hmm… Chef, you're wrong… try…” Alvin took one slice of it and thrust it near Zevana's mouth. Zevana looked at him doubtfully for a moment. "Let's try..." said Alvin again.

Finally, Zevana slowly opened her mouth and chewed the piece. After a few seconds, her expression changed. "This isn't meat..???" he asked.

"Of course, it's made from carrots, but the recipe is still a secret..." said Alvin. Zevana nodded, he seemed quite pleased with what the man was doing. Seeing this, Dea's and Sivia's looks of disapproval seemed, they really didn't like seeing their new Chef being close to Alvin.

Zevana didn't care about that gaze even though she knew it. The man walked back and approached Rio's table. The eagle-eyed man seemed to be busy stirring the thick red sauce. In another container, you can see the cooked noodle rolls. Zevana watched him with sharp eyes. He really didn't like the material that Rio used, it was obvious he was looking for an easy one.

And Zevana did not intend to comment on this. “Chef…” But Rio's words were successful, making him stop. "You know Chef...Noodles do look simple but inside there is a meaning that is so mastermind..."

“………”

"How long is this noodle... like a symbol of how long someone has to wait..." said Rio without looking at Zevana and still continuing to stir the sauce.

The young chef looked at Rio with a meaningful look, but a moment later his gaze turned cold again. "Good pearl Mr. Rio, we'll see if the noodles you're proud of can keep you in your position..." he sneered.

Rio smiled and only glanced at the Chef who was leaving. But after that his smile disappeared, there was only the look in his eyes that implied an extraordinary sadness, from there it seemed as if Rio was harboring something that he himself couldn't express.

****

 "Heiiishhh!! I can't believe this!” Ray threw himself in the break room with a bang. "What if my position is lowered?? Gosh, my poor salary…”

What Ray said is true, the position will determine the salary. The higher the position, the more salary received. Vice versa.

“I think he's going to be an annoying Chef, if it's like this, it's better for our old Chef to come back! It's so troublesome…” Dea grumbled.

“That's right…he's still young, and he could use that to get even more arrogant!” Shiva answered. Initially Sivia was the youngest here, but with the presence of Chef Zevana, of course she is not the youngest anymore.

Alvin smiled hearing all the complaints and coolly sipped the apple juice he took from the refrigerator earlier. "Yes! Don't you think she's beautiful…?” he said.

"What..?? beautiful??" Dea doesn't like it.

Ray answered. "It's beautiful, but the tongue is very sharp, I don't like that kind of man, he's still young and sadistic..."

"Oh come on! Don't talk about that person!!” said Dea. “Rio!! Why are you silent huh?? You don't want to say that our new Chef sucks…??”

Rio, who had been silent for a while, immediately realized, he just shook his head and took his cellphone. "Nothing to comment on, as long as he doesn't mess up what I'm doing I don't care..."

"Yes yes yes ... you really only care about money, you also won't care if the new Chef will oppress you ..." Dea quipped, Sivia laughed hearing that. Rio does work for money, there is no reason for him to cook except to earn money. And as long as it makes money Rio will stay afloat.

Alvin laughed. "Don't speak harshly, you will hurt my brother's heart..." he said while embracing Rio's shoulder. For this matter Alvin will always defend Rio, because he quite applauds this man who works hard to earn money.

Klekkk….The break room door opened. Chef Zevana went inside. Everyone who was there was shocked beyond measure, as in command they all immediately stood up politely and silently. They could immediately feel Zevana's piercing gaze.

"Chef..."

"I've tasted one by one of your dishes..." he said. "With just one spoon I can determine which position is suitable for you..."

Hearing that everyone seemed to be holding their breath at the same time. For some reason a feeling of anxiety began to surround their hearts.

“There are foods that match what I want and there are also those that serve junk food!” those words managed to make everyone surprised, Chef Zevana never cared about what he said, if he wasn't a Chef then he would definitely get a reward for what he just said.

“Dea Amanda, Ray Prasetya… you two switch places!”

"WHAT??" Dea and Ray widened their eyes in shock. Maybe this is no problem for Ray since Dea's position was previously higher. But for Dea, this is a big blow.

The slanted-eyed girl didn't accept it. "But why?? I've been cooking well?? Was it because I fought you earlier? I did it because I didn't know you were our new Chef…”

"You have to try your cooking, Miss Dea, after that you can comment!" Zevana said firmly. “Son, Sivia, as well as Claris… nothing has changed from your position!”

The three of them breathed a sigh of relief. At least if they can't move up in position they stay where they were before. And it has been confirmed that the position of Rio Aditya Stevano and Jonathan Alvin will not change, aah there shouldn't be a need for another test earlier.

"And..." Zevana slowed down a bit. “Jonathan Alvin, you will take the position of sous Chef and main assistant…I'm counting on you…” he continued.

"Sorry..??" Of course Alvin was surprised. Two positions at once, the main Chef's confidence, he didn't hear wrong right? “Chef… you… are you serious…”

Zevana just stared at him. "I've never played with Mr. Alvin .." he said. Alvin really felt happy in that position, but for a moment he immediately looked at Rio. she really didn't like the guy. Rio looks expressionless and just silent.

“Then… Rio?? he will fill my position…?” asked Alvin. Zevana shook her head.

“No, he will help Miss Dea in the vegetables and fish section…”

“What…?” No one was not surprised to hear that. It's not fair, it's really unfair. Everyone knows Rio's abilities, why has his position been lowered so drastically, is it possible that their new Chef is making things up?

However, Rio the target still looks expressionless. I don't know what was going on in his mind. He didn't show an annoyed expression. “This…isn't fair Chef, Rio needs that position more…” Dea objected.

"I don't accept rejection, whether you like it or not you have to obey it..." he said firmly. "Today you can go home early, but tomorrow you have to come on time and work, I won't hesitate to punish anyone who is late, see you!" Zevana immediately turned around and left.

Everyone sat down. It was true horror, they had to obey under the leadership of someone younger than all of them.

“Rio…” Alvin approached Rio with a face full of regret. "I didn't mean to do it, I didn't mean to usurp your position..."

"Never mind..." Rio interrupted. “Chef Zevana seems to like you, he definitely gave you the position…”

Alvin still felt bad, Rio was struggling to reach the main position. But in an instant, it was all gone. “I will talk to Chef, I will tell you all your greatness…”

“No Vin, never mind…” Rio smiled. "He won't listen to you, he's the type of person who won't easily change his decision, never mind I'm fine, and being a sous chef is too hard for me anyway .." Rio said firmly to restore Alvin's confidence again.

Rio then clapped his palms. "He said we can go home early right? You better hurry up, go home and rest, tomorrow we will work hard! Come on, come on!!"

"Then you don't come home Yo?" asked Shiva. Rio shook his head. "No, I will stay in an unused room at this restaurant, Mr. Stevan has given me permission...you go home..."

Although with a heavy heart, they all stood up immediately. "Okay, if that's the case, we'll go home first, Yo..." said Dea

"If you need anything call me .." added Alvin.

Rio just nodded and smiled, his eyes following the departure of all his co-workers until they disappeared behind the door. After their departure, Rio was gloomy again and lay down on the lounge chair.

His eagle eyes stared at something engraved on his wrist. Rio always felt lonely when he was alone. This feeling made him uncomfortable. There was something missing that he really missed.

“You will never understand…”

***

The first day with the new Chef, Rose restaurant was really crowded with visitors. I don't know what caused them to be like magnets to Rose's restaurant. If it's like this it is the cooks who are made extraordinarily busy. Orders came one after another, everyone ordered a different menu because Chef Zevana herself decided on today's special menu.

And when they saw the culinary skills of Chef Zevana, maybe they all understood why a young man like him managed to become the main Chef and deserved it. The fatigue they felt was completely ignored by them.

"Hey!!! Quick change this!!! this food is not worth it!!” Zevana exclaimed after tasting the food that had been served on the plate, she then took the plate and threw it in the trash.

For a few seconds, everyone stopped their cooking show. Of course, they know who made the food, but this time someone threw it in the trash.

"You want to say that it's Chef's trash cooking?" asked Rio.

Zevana nodded. "Of course, the meat is still raw, the vegetables don't even have a touch of ripeness at all, do you think our customers are animals so you can give them raw stuff…?"

Rio smiled sheepishly. "Okay, please fix the dish yourself! I have to cook another order!” he said as he returned to Dea's side. A brief debate but able to make everyone dumbfounded for a moment.

“Rio Aditya Stevano you!!” Zevana was really furious. “Ray fix the dish and serve it immediately!! Sivia brings me three fresh fish right now!!!”

“Good Chef!!”

Like ants obeying their leader's orders, they do the same. Zevana who wears all black Chef's clothes doesn't look tired at all, this makes them all embarrassed to say tired even though the tiredness has come. because after all, Zevana was younger than all of them.

“Rio Aditya Stevano you…” Zevana was furious again. “I told you not to pour the sauce into dishes like that, the texture will be ruined!!!”

“No, this will give the meat tenderness Chef!” defend Rio.

Zevana shook her head. “You don't know anything, you should have asked me first!! You want to be smart here?”

"What?" Rio was of course surprised by the Chef's words just now. “Chef I think you're just finding fault with me, do you have a problem with me? I'm still going to pour this sauce like what I've done before…”

"You!!! Don't argue!! Give it to me!" Zevana grabbed the pot of sauce quickly without gloves or a cloth to contain the heat.

“Chef, you can't be like this…”

Alvin took a deep breath, if this is left it will not be good. The man then turned off the stove then approached Zevana and took over the pot in Zevana's hand. "You're right Chef, this sauce shouldn't be poured directly, let me do it..." said Alvin with a smile.

"Alright, you take over, Rio really doesn't know anything!" he said as he walked away after briefly giving Rio a sharp glare. Rio couldn't help but feel annoyed.

And from all that incident, everyone there could conclude, Alvin might be Zevana's favorite. It's only natural that Alvin's smile is deadly, and the man is very handsome, anyone will surely melt with him.

***

“Woooo!! So tired…." Dea complained while stretching her tired body muscles. These days there is almost no rest time, so many customers come. Zevana's loud words also contributed to making her earshot.

"Wow, you look cute when you're tired..." said Alvin teasingly. Dea sneered. “You don't rest with your favorite Chef? I see he's interested in you, shouldn't you take him to lunch…???”

“Wow it seems……” Alvin sat next to Dea. "you are jealous..?" Alvin asked while embracing Dea.

"Not!!" refused Dea vehemently. Rio smiled at him. “Maybe you'll get along well with that arrogant Chef!”

Again Alvin just giggled amused to hear it. "Never mind, we'd better find lunch, let me treat..."

"It's just the two of you, I'm not coming..." said Rio.

"Okay, I'll buy you your favorite food later, come on, let's have lunch!" said Alvin as he pulled Dea to hurry away. Alvin is really used to being spoiled by Dea. For some reason they are close. Alvin, Dea, and Rio are indeed close, but the closeness of Dea and Alvin is indeed more visible.

After the two people left, Rio was still in the break room playing with his cellphone. Always short messages from his rent collector adorn his cell phone. Rio was fed up with this. He didn't know how to deal with it, his salary this month was definitely not enough. The drop in position really frustrates him a bit.

Klek… The door opened, Rio hastily put his cell phone back. He immediately saw who was coming, at least if Ray or Sivia came he wouldn't be lonely while waiting for Alvin. But his eagle eyes immediately widened when he saw who was standing arm-in-arm near the door. Chef Zevana.

Rio immediately stood up lazily then opened his locker. He didn't intend to say hello, because of the sauce incident earlier. During all this time-making sauce he had never received such treatment. But compared to all that there was one thing that annoyed Rio.

"Someone once told me that he lives by his principles..." Zevana said. “But from what I see everything is completely different…”

Rio didn't care, he took off his all white shirt and changed into a t-shirt.

"I didn't expect it to change so quickly, can it be said to be hypocritical?" Zevana spoke again.

"I don't care..." Rio whispered, busily folding his clothes and putting them in the locker. Zevana smiled sadly. “What are you after, how about someone you have been fighting for all this time? Has he given you happiness…”

Rio stopped all his movements as soon as he heard those words. His chest heaved up and down indicating that he was breathing hard. “Stop…”

"You are a hypocrite, you are still selfish, I am someone who is selfish and..." This time it was Zevana's words that stopped. Rio with piercing eyes walked towards him quickly. A gaze is so sharp that it could make all of Zevana's movements stop.

BLAAM!!

Rio closed the door behind Zevana very loudly and without rules. “Ahh…!!” with his strong hands he then grabbed Zevana's wrist. "Rio!"

Rio didn't care, he pulled the body that was smaller than him then threw him onto the sofa with a bang. Zevana looked so shocked by what had just happened. He didn't even care about his back, which hurt from hitting the edge of the sofa. “Rio Aditya Stevano you..!!”

Zevana screamed again when Rio again gripped his wrists tightly and forced him to lean on the edge of the sofa. Rio followed him by locking Zevana's movement, he tucked his right leg between Zevana's legs so that the girl couldn't do anything under it.

They were silent for a moment and their eyes met. Rio's gaze was completely cold, completely different from what had happened in the kitchen earlier or between his co-workers. Zevana realized if this was not good, the man immediately rebelled. "Rio!!! Let me go!!!" he cried as he tried to break free. But the more he rebelled, Rio's grip tightened.

“Shut up!! And stare at me!!” snapped Rio. This made Zevana couldn't help but look into Rio's eyes. “You… you say I'm selfish…??? We'll see who's selfish here…”

"Aaaakkhhhh..." Rio pulled back Zevana's wrist and then turned the palm of the sweet man's hand. The palm that should have been pure white looked the other way around. It's red and almost blistered, it must be really painful.

"You don't even care about yourself, was it not taught at the place where you were studying that if you were injured while cooking you had to treat it immediately?" Rio asked looking at him sharply.

Zevana was silent, the wound he got when he grabbed the hot pot of sauce with Rio earlier. It really hurt but Zevana endured it because there were a lot of people there. And he also has not had time to treat it.

"You're still the same..." Rio's gaze softened as did his grip. "You still don't think about yourself..." Rio said then, he stroked Zevana's hand then squeezed it slowly. His hands were so soft, he didn't want to let go.

Rio felt his heart start to warm up, something that should have been in place by his side seemed to have returned. For a moment Zevana fell asleep, but in the next second, he immediately shook his head and pulled his hand back. “You're out of your mind!! Get away from me!” Zevana got up and tried to push Rio's body, but in vain, the handsome-looking man pushed himself back onto the sofa then gripped her shoulders. "Rio.."

"Every inch of you is precious, are you still careless and don't care about your safety...???" Rio asked while bringing his body closer. The distance between his face and Zevana's face was only a few inches.

Zevana shook her head. "No, I'm not like that, I've learned a lot of things, don't underestimate me!"

"No, you haven't! How many wounds on your body did you not care about until you managed to become a Chef?? I guarantee that you don't care when you're hurt…” Rio said while bringing her cheek to Zevana's cheek, but Zevana immediately turned her face away.

"You're wrong, I'm not like that! Why would I hurt myself?”

Rio shook his head, then he looked at Zevana with a sharp gaze. "You're lying you know that!!!"

"I AM NOT LYING!!!!" Zevana snapped back.

"Oh, yes?? Then show me!!!!”

"Hey!! Rio!! You... you're crazy!!! YES!!!"

Zevana was hysterical and immediately rebelled when Rio lifted his body in a hugging position. Rio tried to reveal Chef Zevana's shoulder shirt, not intending to be rude but there was something he had to make sure of.

Zevana's legs were seen kicking in the air, his hands and body locked unable to escape. "Rio!!"

“You're in pain, I'm sure your body is full of wounds!! You just have to be honest don't lie!!” Rio said as he pulled his shirt again. "You always lie to me!"

"Not! I'm not lying to you…I'm telling the truth…Please…” Zevana continued to struggle and her clear eyes continued to stare at the door. He was very afraid that someone would suddenly come and witness this. Anyone would have misunderstood his and Rio's current position.

Rio stopped his movement, he looked at the scar on Zevana's inner shoulder with a softening gaze. The eagle-eyed man then hugged the Chef's body tightly. “You… you shouldn't be like this… don't you feel what I feel…???” he whispered right in Zevana's ear.

“R-Rio…” Zevana started to soften, but she couldn't say anything. He started to feel Rio gently kissing his shoulder a few times.

"How many times have you said hurtful things to me, even after all this time you said that again, Zev, I really hate you..." he whispered again.

"If you hate me, now let me go and don't care about me, I hate you so much that I want to always see you in trouble..." Zevana replied, her eyes tearing up.

Rio took a deep breath. He then released his embrace on Zevana. He looked into the eyes that he really missed. Rio then moved his hand to cup Zevana's face. "I hate you, you ruined my life, I hate you so much!" he said then brought his lips close to Zevana's thick lips and kissed them. “Why… you're still alive Ify Zevana… why did you come back, I really want to get rid of you from this world, I really hate you…” Rio then pressed his forehead with Zevana's forehead so he could feel Zevana's nose touching his nose.

"Do not be too confident! You think I don't hate you! I hate you, hate your life… I hate everything in you, your Rio…”

"Stop talking.." Rio interrupted. “Stop talking and just do whatever without us talking…”

Finished saying Rio then reunited their lips and then lay Zevana's body on the sofa. This time Zevana did not refuse, Rio's kiss that devoured his lips he slowly returned. His hands started to wrap around Rio's neck, he didn't even care about their current status between boss and assistant. They both enjoyed what they were currently doing.

Tap…tap…tap the sound of footsteps coming from the front door. But no one cares.

****